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 Mike Mangini sets a New World Record of
1,180 Single Strokes in 60 seconds at the International
Fastest Drummer Contest
The Second Annual
NAMM International Fastest Drummer was one of the most
attended features at the 2004 NAMM Winter Session in
Anaheim, California. The highly charged interactive
event sponsored by THE MUSIC EDGE.COM, NAMM’s new teen
promotional initiative, was open to everyone attending.
The contest, which consists of two categories,
Fastest Hands and Fastest Feet, started
Thursday, January 15th with all contestants scored on
playing single strokes (no bounces, presses or buzz) for
60 seconds as recorded by the Drumometer. Over 200
preliminary contestants competed in qualifying ‘heats’
through Saturday. Spectators were also treated to
appearances by the godfathers of funk, Clyde
Stubblefield and John “Jabo” Starks (James
Brown), as well as Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz (Weird
Al Yankovic) and rockers Bobby Rondinelli (Blue
Oyster Cult, Rainbow, Black Sabbath), Jerry Mercer
(April Wine), Glen Sobel (Beautiful
Creatures), and Michael Brahm (Gene Loves
Jezebel).
On Sunday, January 18th, a Finals
Battle of both categories was held before a packed house
on NAMM'S main stage. Johnny Rabb, who astonished the
audience as he demonstrated some serious chops and
grooves while playing a cocktail kit, hosted the event.
WFD champions Mike Mangini, Jotan Afanador, Tim
Waterson, Seth Davis, and Art Verdi amazed the audience
with their technical demonstrations along with Seth
Davis setting a New World Record in the Double Stroke
category. Seth played 1,084 double strokes in 60
seconds, beating his old record of 1,053 strokes.
 Additionally, Mike Mangini and Jotan Afanador
battled and set TWO New World Records for Matched Grip
single strokes. First Jotan broke his existing record of
1,165 single strokes with a new record of 1,177. Not to
be out done, Mike soon topped Jotan’s score and became
the new World’s Fastest Drummer when he played a
breath-taking 1,180 Matched Grip single strokes in 60
seconds. Mike Mangini truly has proven to have The
World’s Fastest Hands as he has set World Records for
the fastest Matched Grip, Traditional Grip, and Bare
Hands (no sticks) single strokes in 60
seconds!
“WFD is a wonderful outlet and avenue
for drummers with such technical proficiency to
participate and release some of this energy. It’s a fun,
educational way of ‘Getting it Out’,” said Lloyd
McCausland, Vice President of Remo, Inc.
Bill
Meligari of High Bridge, NJ won The Battle of the Hands
with 1,019 single strokes in 60 seconds, while 2nd place
went to Jesse Hoy with a score of 1,015 and 3rd place
was Steve Dow at 984. Winner of The Battle of the Feet
contest went to Mike Duncan of Canyon County, CA with a
foot score of 782 single strokes in 60 seconds. Second
place went to Ramon Ochoa with a score of 760 and third
place went to Simon Johnson with a score of 742. Also
competing in the Battle of the Hands was 9 year old
Steve Meligari - the youngest athlete to ever qualify
for a WFD Finals competition.
 “It’s not all about the speed… it’s about
the discipline and individual techniques the
participants have used to get there,” added Weird Al’s
Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz.
Over $12,000 in prizes
were provided by Pearl, Meinl, Pro-Mark, Axis pedals,
Remo, Thumpers bass drum pillows, Drumometer, Mad
Player, Warner Bros., Grip Peddler, laser engraver Tim
Byrd, and DRUM! magazine. For more information visit Extreme
Sport Drumming.
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